Suction muffler for hermetic compressor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a suction muffler for a hermetic compressor. The suction muffler includes first and second bodies coupled to each other. The first and second bodies have coupling protrusion and recess formed in corresponding positions, respectively. A coupling rib protrudes from the coupling protrusion, and a coupling channel is formed as an indentation on the coupling recess. Coupling guide surfaces are formed on corresponding portions of the coupling rib and recess, respectively, so that the coupling protrusion and recess can be fastened to each other more smoothly. The coupling guide surfaces of the coupling protrusion and recess guide and facilitate the coupling between the first and second bodies. The coupling protrusion and recess are coupled to each other by geometric characteristics so that no separate process is necessary to couple the first and second bodies to each other. This improves the productivity and quality of the suction muffler.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2007-75969 filed on Jul. 27, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hermetic compressor, and moreparticularly to a suction muffler for removing noise from a path of aworking fluid to a compression chamber in a hermetic compressor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

FIG. 1 shows the internal construction of a hermetic compressoraccording to the prior art. As shown, the exterior of the compressor isformed by a hermetic container, which is separated into a lowercontainer 1 and an upper container (not shown). The hermetic containerhouses various components of the compressor. A mounting plate 3 ispositioned beneath the lower container 1 to retain the compressor in aspecific position.

A frame 5 is installed inside the lower container 1 and is provided withvarious components of the compressor. A motor unit 7 is positionedbeneath the frame 5. Particularly, a stator 8 is fixedly installed onthe frame 5, and a rotator 9 is installed to extend through the interiorof the stator 8 vertically. The rotator 9 is rotated by itselectromagnetic interaction with the stator 8.

A structure for compressing the working fluid by means of driving forcefrom the motor unit 7 is positioned on the frame 5. A crankshaft 10 isinstalled to extend through the frame 5 so that its center of rotationcoincides with that of the rotator 9. A portion of the crankshaft 10,which extends below the frame 5, is press-fitted to the center of therotator 9 so that the crankshaft 10 and the rotator 9 rotate as anintegral unit.

An eccentric pin 11 is positioned on the top of the crankshaft 10 at adistance from the center of rotation of the crankshaft 10. The eccentricpin 11 is connected to one end of a connecting rod 13, the other end ofwhich is connected to a piston 15 so that rotational force of thecrankshaft 10 is converted into a linear reciprocating movement of thepiston 15.

The piston 15 is positioned inside a compression chamber formed toextend through a cylinder 17 positioned on the frame 5. The piston 15linearly reciprocates inside the compression chamber to compress theworking fluid.

A valve assembly 18 is installed on the leading end of the cylinder 17to control the working fluid flowing into/out of the compressionchamber. A head cover assembly 19 is provided together with the valveassembly 18, and the interior of the head cover assembly 19 isstructured so that, after passing through the valve assembly 18, theworking fluid can flow therein.

In order to remove the noise of the working fluid flowing into thecompression chamber of the cylinder 17 via the valve assembly 18, asuction muffler 20 is provided, the construction of which will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2.

The suction muffler 20 consists of upper and lower bodies 21 and 22,which have a predetermined space defined therein. The upper and lowerbodies 21 and 22 are coupled to each other by ultrasonic welding so thata space is created inside the suction muffler 20. To this end, the upperand lower bodies 21 and 22 have ultrasonic welding protrusion and recess21′ and 22′ formed thereon, respectively. It is to be noted that theultrasonic welding protrusion 21′ is first inserted into the ultrasonicwelding recess 22′, and then they are welded to each other by ultrasonicwaves.

An emitter 23 protrudes from the upper body 21. The emitter 23 ispositioned between the head cover assembly 19 and the valve assembly 18to selectively communicate with the compression chamber. A passageextends inside the emitter 23 so that the interior of the suctionmuffler 20 communicates with the compression chamber. The passage leadsto an exit duct 24 inside the upper body 21.

A suction unit 25 is formed on one side of the lower portion of thelower body 22. A suction hole 26 is formed on the suction unit 25 sothat the outside of the suction muffler 20 communicates with the insideof the lower body 22. The working fluid is delivered into the suctionmuffler 20 via the suction hole 26.

In the drawing, reference numeral 20′ refers to an emission muffler, andreference numeral 27 refers to an oil discharge hole for dischargingoil, which has been delivered into the suction muffler 20, to theoutside.

However, the above-mentioned suction muffler according to the prior arthas the following problems.

The ultrasonic welding between the upper and lower bodies 21 and 22according to the prior art requires that the ultrasonic weldingprotrusion 21′ be inserted into the ultrasonic welding recess 22′.However, the ultrasonic welding protrusion and recess 21′ and 22′ extendthroughout the entire portions of the upper and lower bodies 21 and 22,which are coupled to each other, as closed loops. This means that it isvery difficult to couple the ultrasonic welding protrusion and recess21′ and 22′ to each other accurately and simultaneously. The fact thatthere is no structure for guiding the coupling between the ultrasonicwelding protrusion and recess 21′ and 22′ makes the coupling processeven more difficult.

After the ultrasonic welding protrusion and recess 21′ and 22′ arecoupled to each other anyhow, they must be welded to each other.Particularly, parts of the ultrasonic welding protrusion and recess 21′and 22′ are melted and integrated to each other. However, this weldingprocess requires heating, which creates welding burrs as parts of theultrasonic welding protrusion and recess 21′ and 22′ melt and thensolidify. The welding burrs may move together with the working fluidinside the compressor and cause it to malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve theabove-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and the presentinvention provides a suction muffler having structures formed oncorresponding portions of bodies, which are to be coupled to each other,to guide the coupling between the bodies.

The present invention also provides a suction muffler having bodiescoupled to each other by geometric characteristics of couplingprotrusion and recess of the bodies.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda suction muffler for a hermetic compressor, including a first bodyhaving an inner space having an opening; a second body having an innerspace having an opening, the second body being coupled to the first bodyto create a space for allowing a working fluid to flow and for removingnoise; and a coupling protrusion and a coupling recess having a couplingrib and a coupling channel formed in corresponding positions along rimsof the openings of the inner spaces of the first and second bodies,respectively, so that the first and second bodies are coupled to eachother by coupling the coupling rib and the coupling channel to eachother.

The coupling rib of the coupling protrusion protrudes in a directionperpendicular to a direction of coupling between the first and secondbodies, and the coupling channel of the coupling recess is anindentation extending in the direction perpendicular to the direction ofcoupling between the first and second bodies.

The coupling rib protrudes outward along an outer surface of one of thefirst and second bodies, and the coupling channel is an indentationformed along an inner surface of the other of the first and secondbodies.

The coupling rib is formed along the entire outer surface of one of thefirst and second bodies.

The coupling rib is formed intermittently along the outer surface of oneof the first and second bodies.

A coupling guide surface is formed in at least one of correspondingpositions on the coupling rib of the coupling protrusion and on thecoupling recess to guide coupling between the coupling protrusion andthe coupling recess.

The coupling guide surface is a rounded surface or a chamfer.

A spacer is formed on one of the first and second bodies to force asurface of the coupling rib, the surface lying opposite the couplingguide surface, against a lateral surface of the coupling channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent after a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the major construction of ahermetic compressor according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of ahermetic compressor according to the prior art, including partialsectional views;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of asuction muffler for a hermetic compressor according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing the major construction of asuction muffler for a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the major construction of a suctionmuffler for a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view showing the major construction of asuction muffler for a hermetic compressor according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a suction muffler for a hermetic compressor according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of asuction muffler for a hermetic compressor according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an exploded sectionalview showing the major construction of the suction muffler; and FIG. 5is a sectional view showing the major construction of the suctionmuffler.

As shown in the drawings, the suction muffler includes first and secondbodies 31 and 32, which are made of synthetic resin, and each of whichhas a space defined therein. The first and second bodies 31 and 32 arecoupled to each other by coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50(described later) so that a space for removing noise is created insidethe suction muffler.

It is to be noted that the suction muffler does not necessary consist oftwo pieces (i.e. first and second bodies 31 and 32), and more than twopieces may constitute the muffler. Those skilled in the art canunderstand that, although the suction muffler is divided into upper andlower portions, which correspond to the first and second bodies 31 and32, respectively, according to the present embodiment, it is alsopossible to divide the suction muffler into left and right portions,which correspond to first and second bodies, respectively, or viceversa.

An emitter 33 protrudes from the first body 31. The emitter 33 ispositioned between a head cover assembly and a valve assembly. Theinside of the suction muffler selectively communicates with the insideof a compression chamber via the emitter 33 by means of the valveassembly. A passage extends inside the emitter 33 so that the inside ofthe suction muffler communicates with the compression chamber. Thepassage leads to an exit duct 34 inside the first body 31.

A suction unit 35 is formed on one side of the lower portion of thesecond body 32. A suction hole 36 is formed on the suction unit 35 sothat the outside of the suction muffler communicates with the inside ofthe second body 32. The working fluid is delivered into the suctionmuffler via the suction hole 36.

In order to couple the first and second bodies 31 and 32 to each other,coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 are formed in correspondingpositions on the first and second bodies 31 and 32, respectively. Thecoupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 are coupled to each other bygeometric characteristics. According to the illustrated embodiment, thecoupling protrusion 40 is formed along the rim of the opening of theinner space of the first body 31, and the coupling recess 50 is formedalong the rim of the opening of the inner space of the second body 32.It is also possible to form the coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50on the second body 32 and on the first body 31, respectively.

The coupling protrusion 40 has a coupling rib 42 protruding from theouter surface of the first body 31 up to a predetermined length. Thecoupling rib 42 preferably protrudes in a direction perpendicular to thedirection of coupling between the first and second bodies 31 and 32. Thecoupling rib 42 forms a closed loop along the edge of the first body 31.Those skilled in the art can understand that the coupling rib 42 doesnot necessary form a closed loop, i.e. the coupling rib 42 may extendintermittently.

A coupling guide surface 43 is formed on the leading end of the couplingrib 42, which faces the coupling recess 50 of the second body 32. Thecoupling guide surface 43 is a rounded surface according to the presentembodiment.

The coupling recess 50 has a coupling channel 52 formed by indenting theinner surface of the second body 32. Particularly, the coupling channel52 is formed in a predetermined position on the inner surface of theinner space of the second body 32 by indenting the inner surface as muchas the coupling rib 42 can be inserted. The direction of indenting theinner surface to form the coupling channel 52 is perpendicular to thedirection of coupling between the first and second bodies 31 and 32. Thecoupling channel 52 forms a closed loop along the inner surface of thesecond body 32.

A coupling guide surface 53 is formed on a portion of the couplingrecess 50, which faces the coupling protrusion 40 of the first body 31.The coupling guide surface 53 is rounded according to the presentembodiment. The coupling guide surface 53 cooperates with the couplingguide surface 43 of the coupling protrusion 40 to guide the couplingbetween the coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50. Those skilled inthe art can understand that, according to design requirements, bothcoupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 do not necessarily havecoupling guide surfaces 43 and 53. In other words, at least one of thecoupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 has a coupling guide surface.

FIG. 6 shows a suction muffler for a hermetic compressor according toanother embodiment of the present invention. According to thisembodiment, the coupling guide surfaces 43′ and 53′ of the couplingprotrusion and recess 40 and 50 are chamfers. In other words, thecoupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 are chamfered to form thecoupling guide surfaces 43′ and 53′, respectively.

In the drawing, reference numeral 27 refers to an oil discharge hole fordischarging oil, which has been delivered into the suction muffler, tothe outside.

The operation of the suction muffler for a hermetic compressor accordingto the present invention, which has the above-mentioned construction,will now be described in detail.

The first and second bodies 31 and 32 of the suction muffler accordingto the present invention are molded in a predetermined shape, and areassembled by coupling the coupling protrusion 40 and recess 50 of thefirst and second bodies 31 and 32 to each other.

Particularly, the coupling rib 42 of the coupling protrusion 40 isinserted into the coupling channel 52 of the coupling recess 50 tocouple both bodies. The insertion of the coupling rib 42 into thecoupling channel 52 is guided by the coupling guide surfaces 43 and 53formed on at least one of the coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50.

This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. Theoperator applies force F to couple the first and second bodies 31 and 32to each other. Since the first and second bodies 31 and 32 are made ofsynthetic resin, the coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 areslightly deformed elastically along arrows A and B under the guidance ofthe coupling guide surfaces 43 and 53. The elastic deformation of thecoupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 causes the first and secondbodies 31 and 32 to approach each other in the same direction as theforce F is applied, so that the coupling rib 42 is inserted into thecoupling channel 52. The coupling protrusion and recess 40 and 50 returnto the original position or remain slightly deformed elastically as soonas the coupling rib 42 is inserted into the coupling channel 52.

FIG. 5 shows the coupling rib 42 of the coupling protrusion 40 insertedinto the coupling channel 52 of the coupling recess 50. The coupling rib42 is not necessarily press-fitted to the coupling channel 52. However,in order to prevent leakage through the portion of the coupling rib 42inserted into the coupling channel 52, the surface of the coupling rib42 lying opposite the coupling guide surface 43 is preferably fastenedagainst a lateral surface of the coupling channel 52. To this end, oneof the first and second bodies 31 and 32 may have a protrusion-typespacer (not shown) for fastening the surface of the coupling rib 42against the lateral surface of the coupling channel 52.

According to design requirements, it is also possible to place a sealinside the coupling channel 52 to prevent the working fluid fromleaking.

As such, the suction muffler is positioned between the valve assemblyand the head cover assembly and is installed so that its interiorcommunicates with the compression chamber via the emitter 33. That is,the compression chamber selectively communicates with the inside of thesuction muffler by means of the valve assembly so that the working fluidis delivered into the compression chamber. The space inside the suctionmuffler absorbs and dampens the noise of the working fluid, the noisecreated in the compression chamber, etc.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in thecomponent parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A suction muffler for a hermetic compressor, comprising: a first bodyhaving an inner space having an opening; a second body having an innerspace having an opening, the second body being coupled to the first bodyto create a space for allowing a working fluid to flow and for removingnoise; and a coupling protrusion and a coupling recess having a couplingrib and a coupling channel formed in corresponding positions along rimsof the openings of the inner spaces of the first and second bodies,respectively, so that the first and second bodies are coupled to eachother by coupling the coupling rib and the coupling channel to eachother.
 2. The suction muffler as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoupling rib of the coupling protrusion protrudes in a directionperpendicular to a direction of coupling between the first and secondbodies, and the coupling channel of the coupling recess is anindentation extending in the direction perpendicular to the direction ofcoupling between the first and second bodies.
 3. The suction muffler asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling rib protrudes outward along anouter surface of one of the first and second bodies, and the couplingchannel is an indentation formed along an inner surface of the other ofthe first and second bodies.
 4. The suction muffler as claimed in claim3, wherein the coupling rib is formed along the entire outer surface ofone of the first and second bodies.
 5. The suction muffler as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the coupling rib is formed intermittently along theouter surface of one of the first and second bodies.
 6. The suctionmuffler as claimed in claim 1, wherein a coupling guide surface isformed in at least one of corresponding positions on the coupling rib ofthe coupling protrusion and on the coupling recess to guide couplingbetween the coupling protrusion and the coupling recess.
 7. The suctionmuffler as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling guide surface is arounded surface.
 8. The suction muffler as claimed in claim 6, whereinthe coupling guide surface is a chamfer.
 9. The suction muffler asclaimed in claim 6, wherein a spacer is formed on one of the first andsecond bodies to force a surface of the coupling rib, the surface lyingopposite the coupling guide surface, against a lateral surface of thecoupling channel.